Introduction to the U.S. Legal System

3.0 credits · LA

This introductory course immerses you in the American legal system and locates it in an inter-connected world. Law is in some ways its own language and immersion courses are an effective way to learn a new language. The course provides a framework for thinking about questions like: When should your firm consult an attorney? What does it mean to think like a lawyer? What kinds of remedies does the law offer? How do different sources of law--such as state and federal statutes, agency regulations, court decisions, and constitutional limits--interact? Which courts decide which kinds of questions? When should you pursue alternatives to litigation, such as arbitration or mediation?